Polished rod alignment system

ABSTRACT

A polished rod alignment system for correcting the misalignment of a polished rod to the stuffing box which generally includes a first member, a second member, a first alignment member, and a second alignment member. The second member is secured over an oil well, such as to a blowout preventer. The first and second alignment members are secured over the second member, with the alignment members being adapted to rock with respect to each other due to each having inverted sloped portions. The first member is secured over the alignment members and is adapted to receive a stuffing box. A polished rod may extend through the first and second members. By adjusting bolts securing the first and second members together, and by action of the alignment members, the polished rod and stuffing box may be brought back into alignment if misalignment occurs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an alignment system and morespecifically it relates to a polished rod alignment system forcorrecting the misalignment of a polished rod to the stuffing box, suchas on a pumping oil well.

Description of the Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such related art is widelyknown or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Polished rods are often utilized in combination with stuffing boxes inpumping operations, such as at an oil well. The polished rod willgenerally slide up and down through the stuffing box and into the oilwell, such as through a blowout preventer. Due to the vibrations typicalat pumping sites (such as from the oil well itself or from heavymachinery passing nearby), as well as settling, frost heaving and thawcycles typical at pumping sites, the polished rod will often losealignment with the stuffing box.

In such situations, it is often an arduous and inefficient task tocorrect the alignment. Often the pump will need to be shut down entirelyso as to allow for the alignment of the polished rod to be adjusted.Such a shutdown can lead to lost pumping time, the requirement to add acrane, and labor costs related to leveling and aligning the pumping unitto the well bore (such as aligning the polish rod to the stuffing box),and thus loss of efficiency of the pumping operation overall.

Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a needfor a new and improved polished rod alignment system for correcting themisalignment of a polished rod to the stuffing box, such as on a pumpingoil well.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to an alignment system which includes afirst member, a second member, a first alignment member, and a secondalignment member. The second member is secured over an oil well, such asto a blowout preventer. The first and second alignment members aresecured over the second member, with the alignment members being adaptedto rock with respect to each other due to each having inverted slopedportions. The first member is secured over the alignment members and isadapted to receive a stuffing box. A polished rod may extend through theentirety of the present invention. By adjusting bolts securing the firstand second members together, and by action of the alignment members, thepolished rod and stuffing box may be brought back into alignment ifmisalignment occurs.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features ofthe invention in order that the detailed description thereof may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction or to the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of thedescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective exploded view of the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a lower perspective exploded view of the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the presentinvention in use.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the presentinvention adjusted for misalignment of the polished rod to the right.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the presentinvention adjusted for misalignment of the polished rod to the left.

FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of the present invention installedon a blowout preventer.

FIG. 9 is an exploded upper perspective view of a second embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the present invention installed on a blowoutpreventer.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the present invention installed on a blowoutpreventer.

FIG. 12 is an upper perspective view of the alignment members of thesecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a lower perspective view of the alignment members of thesecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention in use.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention adjusted for misalignment of the polished rod to the right.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention adjusted for misalignment of the polished rod to the left.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. Overview.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1through 16 illustrate a polished rod alignment system 10, whichcomprises a first member 20, a second member 30, a first alignmentmember 40, and a second alignment member 50. The second member 30 issecured over an oil well, such as to a blowout preventer 14. The firstand second alignment members 40, 50 are secured over the second member30, with the alignment members 40, 50 being adapted to rock with respectto each other due to each having inverted sloped portions 46, 56. Thefirst member 20 is secured over the alignment members 40, 50 and isadapted to receive a stuffing box 13. A polished rod 12 may extendthrough the entirety of the present invention. By adjusting bolts 64securing the first and second members 20, 30 together, and by action ofthe alignment members 40, 50, the polished rod 12 and stuffing box 13may be brought back into alignment if misalignment occurs.

B. First and Second Members.

As shown throughout the figures, the present invention includes a firstmember 20 and a second member 30 which are secured around the alignmentmembers 30, 40. The polished rod 12 will generally extend through boththe first and second members 20, 30 prior to exiting the presentinvention, such as into a blowout preventer 14 as shown in the figures.The figures illustrate the first member 20 as comprising an upper memberand the second member comprising a lower member 30, though otherconfigurations could be utilized.

The shape, size, configuration, and orientation may vary in differentembodiments. The figures illustrate the first and second members 20, 30as being comprised of disc-shaped configurations, though others may beutilized. It is not necessary that the first and second members 20, 30be round as shown for performing the functionality of the presentinvention. Further, the size of the first and second members 20, 30 mayvary depending on the embodiment of the present invention. Finally, withrespect to the orientation, the first and second members 20, 30 could beoriented horizontally or diagonally and thus not have an upper-lowerrelationship as shown in the figures.

The first member 20 is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown therein,the first member 20 generally comprises an upper end 21 and a lower end22. A first receiver opening 24 extends through the first member 20between the upper and lower ends 21, 22 so that a polished rod 12 mayextend completely through the first member 20. The length, width (orcircumference), and cross-section of the first receiver opening 24 mayvary in different embodiments, though it should be sufficientlyconfigured to allow the polished rod 12 to freely pass therethrough.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the first member 20 includes a first receiverrim 23 which extends outwardly from its upper end 21. The first receiveropening 24 extends through the first receiver rim 23 and the body of thefirst member 20. The first receiver rim 23 comprises a raised rim whichsurrounds the outer circumference of the first receiver opening 24. Thefirst receiver rim 23 provides a guide to the polished rod 12 as itenters the first member 20 through the first receiver opening 24. Theinner surface of the first receiver rim 23 may include first innerthreads 25 as shown in FIG. 2 to aid in attachment of a stuffing box 13as shown in FIG. 5.

As best shown in FIG. 2, a first flange 26 extends from the firstreceiver rim 23. The first flange 26 extends outwardly from the firstreceiver rim 23 and includes a plurality of first apertures 27 along itsouter circumference as shown in FIG. 2. The shape, size, orientation,and configuration of the first flange 26 may vary in differentembodiments of the present invention. Further, the number of firstapertures 27, and their orientation along the first flange 26, may varyand should not be construed as limited by the figures.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first member 20 may also include a firstreceiver groove 28 in some embodiments. The first receiver groove 28will generally be positioned on the lower end 22 of the first member 20so as to receive the first rim 45 of the first alignment member 40,which aids in securing the first member 20 to the first alignment member40. The first receiver groove 28 will generally extend around the firstreceiver opening 24 on the lower end 22 of the first member 20 as shownin FIG. 3. However, in alternate embodiments the first receiver groove28 may be positioned elsewhere, or may be comprised of a different shapethan the circular configuration shown in the exemplary figures.

The second member 30 is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown therein,the second member 31 generally comprises an upper end 31 and a lower end32. A second receiver opening 34 extends through the second member 30between the upper and lower ends 31, 32 so that a polished rod 12 mayextend completely through the second member 30. The length, width (orcircumference), and cross-section of the second receiver opening 34 mayvary in different embodiments, though it should be sufficientlyconfigured to allow the polished rod 12 to freely pass therethrough.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the second member 30 includes a second receiverrim 33 which extends outwardly from its lower end 32. The secondreceiver opening 34 extends through the second receiver rim 33 and thebody of the second member 30. The second receiver rim 33 comprises araised rim which surrounds the outer circumference of the secondreceiver opening 24. The second receiver rim 33 provides a guide to thepolished rod 12 as it exits the second member 30 through the secondreceiver opening 34. The inner surface of the second receiver rim 33 mayinclude second inner threads 35 as shown in FIG. 3 to aid in attachmentto a blowout preventer 14 as shown in FIG. 5.

As best shown in FIG. 2, a second flange 36 extends from the secondreceiver rim 33. The second flange 36 extends outwardly from the secondreceiver rim 33 and includes a plurality of second apertures 37 alongits outer circumference as shown in FIG. 2. The shape, size,orientation, and configuration of the second flange 36 may vary indifferent embodiments of the present invention. Further, the number ofsecond apertures 37, and their orientation along the second flange 36,may vary and should not be construed as limited by the figures. Aplurality of bolts 64 are generally utilized to extend through both thefirst apertures 27 of the first member 20 and the second apertures 37 ofthe second member 30 to secure the first and second members 20, 30 toeach other.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second member 30 may also include a secondreceiver groove 38 in some embodiments. The second receiver groove 38will generally be positioned on the upper end 31 of the second member 30so as to receive the second rim 55 of the second alignment member 50,which aids in securing the second member 30 to the second alignmentmember 50. The second receiver groove 38 will generally extend aroundthe second receiver opening 34 on the upper end 31 of the second member30 as shown in FIG. 2. However, in alternate embodiments the secondreceiver groove 38 may be positioned elsewhere, or may be comprised of adifferent shape than the circular configuration shown in the exemplaryfigures.

C. Alignment Members.

As shown throughout the figures, the present invention includes a firstalignment member 40 and a second alignment member 50 which combine toform an alignment assembly. The alignment members 40, 50 adjust toaccommodate any non-vertical movement of the polished rod 12 as ittraverses through the present invention in either direction. While thefigures illustrate the alignment members 40, 50 as comprising twodiscrete structures, it should be appreciated that in some embodimentsthe alignment members 40, 50 may comprise a single, integral structure.

Generally speaking, the alignment members 40, 50 will be secured betweenthe first and second members 20, 30 as shown throughout the figures. Thefigures illustrate two embodiments of the present invention; a firstembodiment in which no O-rings 60, 61, 62 are utilized which is shown inFIGS. 2, 3, and 5-7 and a second embodiment in which O-rings 60, 61, 62are utilized which is shown in FIGS. 9 and 12-16.

As shown throughout the figures, the present invention includes a firstalignment member 40 which is secured against the lower end 22 of thefirst member 20. The first alignment member 40 includes an upper end 41and a lower end 42. While the figures illustrate the first alignmentmember 40 as comprising a round configuration, other configurations maybe utilized. A first opening 43 extends through the first alignmentmember 40 between its upper and lower ends 41, 42 through which thepolished rod 12 will extend when the present invention is in use. Theshape, size, and configuration of the first opening 43 may vary indifferent embodiments.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the upper end 41 of the first alignment member40 may include a first recessed portion 44 surrounding the first opening43 and a first rim 45 extending around its outer circumference whichrises outwardly from the first recessed portion 44. The first rim 45fits within the first receiver groove 28 on the lower end 22 of thefirst member 20 as shown in FIG. 5 to secure the first alignment member40 underneath the first member 20.

The lower end 42 of the first alignment member 40 generally comprises asloped configuration and thus includes a first sloped portion 46 as bestshown in FIG. 3. The first sloped portion 46 will generally slopeoutwardly from the first opening 43 to the outer edge of the firstalignment member 40 as shown in FIG. 3. The first sloped portion 46interacts with the second sloped portion 56 of the second alignmentmember 50 to allow the alignment members 40, 50 to adjust to accommodatevibrations or other movements of the polished rod 12.

An alternate embodiment of the first alignment member 40, in whichO-rings 60, 61, 62 are utilized to perfect seals between the firstmember 20, the first alignment member 40, the second alignment member50, and the second member 30 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 12-16. In such anembodiment, the first alignment member 40 includes a first upper O-ringgroove 48 on its upper end 21 as shown in FIG. 9.

The first upper O-ring groove 48 generally extends around the outercircumference of the first opening 43 of the first alignment member 40,though it may be positioned elsewhere in different embodiments. A firstO-ring 60 is positioned within the first upper O-ring groove 48 as shownin FIG. 14, which seals the connection between the first alignmentmember 40 and the first member 20.

As shown throughout the figures, the present invention includes a secondalignment member 50 which is secured against the upper end 31 of thesecond member 30. The second alignment member 50 includes an upper end51 and a lower end 52. While the figures illustrate the second alignmentmember 50 as comprising a round configuration, other configurations maybe utilized. A second opening 53 extends through the second alignmentmember 50 between its upper and lower ends 51, 52 through which thepolished rod 12 will extend when the present invention is in use. Theshape, size, and configuration of the second opening 53 may vary indifferent embodiments.

As best shown in FIG. 13, the lower end 52 of the second alignmentmember 50 may include a second recessed portion 54 surrounding thesecond opening 53 and a second rim 55 extending around its outercircumference which rises outwardly from the second recessed portion 54.The second rim 55 fits within the second receiver groove 38 on the upperend 32 of the second member 30 as shown in FIG. 14 to secure the secondalignment member 50 over the second member 30.

The upper end 51 of the second alignment member 50 generally comprises asloped configuration and thus includes a second sloped portion 56 asbest shown in FIG. 12. The second sloped portion 56 will generally slopeinwardly from the second opening 53 to the outer edge of the secondalignment member 50 as shown in FIG. 12. The first sloped portion 46 andsecond sloped portion 56 should slope in opposite directions so thatthey may rock against each other to make adjustments for the polishedrod 12. The second sloped portion 56 interacts with the first slopedportion 46 of the first alignment member 40 to allow the alignmentmembers 40, 50 to adjust to accommodate vibrations or other movements ofthe polished rod 12.

An alternate embodiment of the second alignment member 50, in whichO-rings 60, 61, 62 are utilized to perfect seals between the firstmember 20, the first alignment member 40, the second alignment member50, and the second member 30 is shown in FIGS. 14-16. In such anembodiment, the second alignment member 50 includes a second upperO-ring groove 58 on its upper end 51 and a lower O-ring groove 59 on itslower end 52 as shown in FIGS. 12-13.

The second upper O-ring groove 58 extends around the second opening 53of the upper end 51 of the second alignment member 50 as shown in FIG.12, though other positioning may be utilized. A second O-ring 61 ispositioned within the second upper O-ring groove 58 to seal theinterconnection between the second alignment member 50 and the firstalignment member 40 as shown in FIG. 14.

The lower O-ring groove 59 extends around the second opening 53 of thelower end 52 of the second alignment member 50 as shown in FIG. 13,though other positioning may be utilized. A third O-ring 62 ispositioned within the lower O-ring groove 59 to seal the interconnectionbetween the second alignment member 50 and the second member 30.

D. Operation of Preferred Embodiment.

In use, the second member 30 is secured to the oil well, such as to ablowout preventer 14 as shown in the figures. It should be appreciatedthat a blowout preventer 14 is not necessary for the operation of thepresent invention, but is merely shown as an exemplary setup which iscommon in the industry. The second member 30 may be secured to theblowout preventer 14 or other portion of the well via various manners,such as by positioning the second receiver rim 33 into a correspondingopening on the blowout preventer or other structure.

With the second member 30 secured to the blowout preventer 14 (or otheroil well structure), the third O-ring 62 is positioned into the lowerO-ring groove 59 of the second alignment member 50 if an embodimentusing O-rings 60, 61, 62 is being utilized. This step may be skipped ifan embodiment is being used without O-rings 60, 61, 62. In either case,the second alignment member 50 may then be secured to the second member30 by positioning the second rim 55 of the second alignment member 50into the second receiver groove 38 of the second member 30 such as shownin FIG. 5.

With the second alignment member 50 secured to the second member 30, thefirst alignment member 40 may be secured to the second alignment member50. If O-rings 60, 61, 62 are being utilized, the second O-ring 61 ispositioned within the second upper O-ring groove 58 of the secondalignment member 50. If no O-rings 60, 61, 62 are being utilized, thisstep may be omitted.

The first alignment member 40 may then be lowered onto the secondalignment member 50. The first sloped portion 46 of the first alignmentmember 40 will receive the second sloped portion 56 of the secondalignment member 50 as shown in the figures. The first alignment member40 and second alignment member 50 will be free to rock with respect toeach other for alignment correction when the present invention is inuse.

In embodiments using O-rings 60, 61, 62, the first O-ring 60 will bepositioned within the first upper O-ring groove 48 of the firstalignment member 40. If no O-rings 60, 61, 62 are being utilized, thisstep may be omitted.

The first member 20 is now ready to be secured to the present invention.The first member 20 is lowered onto the first alignment member 40 suchthat the first rim 45 of the first alignment member 40 is positionedwithin the corresponding first receiver groove 28 of the first member 20as shown in the figures. Bolts 64 may then be inserted through both thefirst apertures 27 of the first member 20 and the second apertures 37 ofthe second member 30 to firmly secure the present invention together.

With the present invention assembled, a stuffing box 13 may be installedinto the first receiver opening 24 of the first member 20. The polishedrod 12 may then be inserted through the present invention to beginpumping operations. As pumping occurs, the polished rod 12 may losealignment with the stuffing box 13. In this case, the bolts 64 on eitherside of the present invention may be tightened or loosened to orient thepresent invention to accommodate for the misalignment, such as shown inFIGS. 6-7 and 15-16. The bolts 64 may be freely adjusted during usage toaccommodate for misalignment in any direction.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described above. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law andregulations. The present invention may be embodied in other specificforms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof,and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilizedwithin the description are for convenience only and have no legal orlimiting effect.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A polished rod alignment system,comprising: a first member including a first flange, wherein said firstflange includes a plurality of first apertures; a second memberincluding a second flange, wherein said second flange includes aplurality of second apertures; a first alignment member between saidfirst member and said second member, wherein said first alignment memberincludes a first sloped portion; a second alignment member between saidfirst member and said second member, wherein said second alignmentmember includes a second sloped portion, wherein said first slopedportion is movably secured against said second sloped portion, whereinthe first alignment member and the second alignment member are adaptedto freely rock with respect to each other; and a plurality of boltsextending through said first apertures and said second apertures tosecure said first member to said second member, wherein said pluralityof bolts are adapted to be tightened or loosened such that the firstalignment member and the second alignment member rock with respect toeach other to adjust an orientation of said first member with respect tosaid second member.
 2. The polished rod alignment system of claim 1,wherein said first member includes a first receiver opening forreceiving a polished rod.
 3. The polished rod alignment system of claim2, wherein said first member includes a first receiver rim positionednear said first receiver opening, wherein said first receiver rim isadapted to receive a stuffing box.
 4. The polished rod alignment systemof claim 3, wherein said second member includes a second receiveropening for receiving said polished rod, wherein said first receiveropening is aligned with said second receiver opening.
 5. The polishedrod alignment system of claim 4, wherein said second member includes asecond receiver rim positioned near said second receiver opening,wherein said second receiver rim is adapted to receive a blowoutpreventer.
 6. The polished rod alignment system of claim 1, wherein saidfirst member includes a first receiver groove and a first opening. 7.The polished rod alignment system of claim 6, wherein said firstalignment member includes a first rim, wherein said first rim ispositioned within said first receiver groove to secure said firstalignment member to said first member.
 8. The polished rod alignmentsystem of claim 7, wherein said second member includes a second receivergroove and a second opening.
 9. The polished rod alignment system ofclaim 8, wherein said second alignment member includes a second rim,wherein said second rim is positioned within said second receiver grooveto secure said second alignment member to said second member.
 10. Thepolished rod alignment system of claim 1, wherein said first alignmentmember includes a first upper O-ring groove for receiving a firstO-ring.
 11. The polished rod alignment system of claim 10, wherein saidsecond alignment member includes a second upper O-ring groove forreceiving a second O-ring.
 12. The polished rod alignment system ofclaim 11, wherein said second alignment member includes a lower O-ringgroove for receiving a third O-ring.
 13. The polished rod alignmentsystem of claim 12, wherein said first O-ring is positioned between saidfirst member and said first alignment member.
 14. The polished rodalignment system of claim 13, wherein said second O-ring is positionedbetween said first alignment member and said second alignment member.15. The polished rod alignment system of claim 14, wherein said thirdO-ring is positioned between said second alignment member and saidsecond member.
 16. A polished rod alignment system, comprising: ablowout preventer; a stuffing box; a first member, wherein said firstmember includes a first flange, wherein said first flange includes aplurality of first apertures, wherein said first member includes a firstreceiver opening, wherein said stuffing box is secured within said firstreceiver opening; a second member secured to said blowout preventer,wherein said second member includes a second flange, wherein said secondflange includes a plurality of second apertures, wherein said secondmember includes a second receiver opening; a first alignment memberbetween said first member and said second member, wherein said firstalignment member includes a first sloped portion, wherein said firstalignment member includes a first opening, wherein said first alignmentmember includes a first upper O-ring groove for receiving a firstO-ring; a second alignment member between said first member and saidsecond member, wherein said second alignment member includes a secondsloped portion, wherein said first sloped portion is movably securedagainst said second sloped portion, wherein said second alignment memberincludes a second opening, wherein said second alignment member includesa second upper O-ring groove for receiving a second O-ring, wherein saidsecond alignment member includes a lower O-ring groove for receiving athird O-ring; a polished rod extending through said first receiveropening, said second receiver opening, said first opening, and saidsecond opening; and a plurality of bolts extending through said firstapertures and said second apertures to secure said first member to saidsecond member, wherein said plurality of bolts are adapted to betightened or loosened to adjust an orientation of said first member withrespect to said second member for realigning with said polished rod,wherein said first O-ring is positioned between said first member andsaid first alignment member, wherein said second O-ring is positionedbetween said first alignment member and said second alignment member,and wherein said third O-ring is positioned between said secondalignment member and said second member.
 17. A polished rod alignmentsystem, comprising: a first member including a first flange, whereinsaid first flange includes a plurality of first apertures, wherein saidfirst member includes a first receiver opening for receiving a polishedrod, wherein said first member includes a first receiver rim positionednear said first receiver opening, wherein said first receiver rim isadapted to receive a stuffing box; a second member including a secondflange, wherein said second flange includes a plurality of secondapertures, wherein said second member includes a second receiver openingfor receiving said polished rod, wherein said first receiver opening isaligned with said second receiver opening, wherein said second memberincludes a second receiver rim positioned near said second receiveropening, wherein said second receiver rim is adapted to receive ablowout preventer; a first alignment member between said first memberand said second member, wherein said first alignment member includes afirst sloped portion; a second alignment member between said firstmember and said second member, wherein said second alignment memberincludes a second sloped portion, wherein said first sloped portion ismovably secured against said second sloped portion; and a plurality ofbolts extending through said first apertures and said second aperturesto secure said first member to said second member, wherein saidplurality of bolts are adapted to be tightened or loosened to adjust anorientation of said first member with respect to said second member.